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What is a Chimney Flashing?

Chimneys are one of the most vulnerable points for water ingress

A chimney flashing will weatherproof a chimney by covering the intersections between the tiles or slates to prevent the ingress of water. To ensure maximum protection, it is also recommended to install a damp proof course (DPC) along with your chimney flashing.

Why does a chimney have flashing?

A correctly installed chimney flashing will prevent rain from seeping into your roof and should last for decades if correctly installed.

Other benefits of chimney flashing include:

  •  
    • Protecting from water damage
    • Preserves the chimney structure by reducing mortar erosion caused by mortar
    • Improved the homes energy efficiency by reducing heat loss and preventing drafts

a house with a tiled roof and chimney flashings

 

Types of chimney flashing

Chimney flashings can be made out of several different metals, including copper, aluminium, galvanised steel and lead, lead is arguably the best material for chimney flashing due to its long life expectancy. A minimum of code 4 lead should be used for lead flashings.

You can install different types of chimney flashing such as front aprons, side flashings, back gutters, cover flashings and ridge abutment saddles.

Chimney DPC Tray (Damp proof course)

A DPC tray is used to stop water that has already penetrated through soaking into the brickwork below. Our DPC chimney tray is coated with bitumen paint on the upper surface to help protect the lead from possible corrosion caused by cement in direct contact with its surface. It is fitted during the construction of the chimney and acts as a barrier to water seeping through the brickwork.

chimney dpc tray

Chimney Front Apron

A lead chimney front apron covers the joint where the downhill face of the chimney meets the roof. It laps over the tiles or slates to shed rainwater. For a gable-end chimney, see our left- and right-handed half aprons.

chimney front apron

Chimney Back Gutter

A chimney back gutter covers the rear section of the chimney. This allows water to flow from the tiles and around the chimney without seeping into the joins. When a projection occurs in a roof the water must be diverted.

chimney back gutter

Lead is an excellent material to choose for chimney flashing, Leadworx is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of quality lead roofing products including chimney flashing and bat access tiles. 

Browse our shop or contact us for further information.

Picture of Chris Pearce

Chris Pearce

Chris Pearce is the head product developer and fabricator at Leadworx with over 10 years of experience in lead roofing products. His background in solid fuel installations and the environmental sector led him to founding the company to research and develop premium lead flashings. This has led to the creation of a range of products that are hand fabricated in the UK and trusted by builders and homeowners in the UK, Ireland and Europe.

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